The Wisconsin State Fair announced Thursday that for the first time in 75 years they’d be cancelling the 2020 state fair. While organizers say the decision was not made lightly, they were concerned about operating a massive event safely and economically during the coronavirus pandemic. Scheduled for Aug. 6-16, more than 1 million people attend the fair each year.
“On behalf of the entire State Fair Park Board of Directors, please know that the decision to cancel the 2020 Wisconsin State Fair was not taken lightly,” said Wisconsin State Fair Park Board Chairman John Yingling. “Months of deliberation took place, considering all options to host a Fair that adheres to the highest standard of safety without compromising the experience. We explored countless models, but ultimately safety cannot be compromised. The risks associated with hosting an event of this size and scope right now are just too great.”
State Fair has been canceled only five years — three of them during the Civil War — with the last cancellation in 1945 as troops were fighting in the Pacific. The event started in 1851 in Janesville when it drew 10,000 people to see the latest agriculture machinery and products. It has been held in West Allis since 1892.
Additionally, the Wisconsin State Fair is home to the largest junior dairy show in the U.S.
This hurts the most, thank you Wisconsin State Fair for 7 years of awards, memories, laughs, and so many amazing friends. Not being in the ring this year is heartbreaking. https://t.co/YRGzLiGBZe
— court (@17cuhlenhake) May 28, 2020
This is absolutely ridiculous. Many county fairs in Wisconsin are also cancelled. I have great sympathy for young people on farms who look forward to having their animals judged at county fairs or the state fair and now that won’t happen.
— Paul Bonneson, J. D. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇮🇱🇮🇱 (@pbonn1989) May 28, 2020
This is absolutely ridiculous. Many county fairs in Wisconsin are also cancelled. I have great sympathy for young people on farms who look forward to having their animals judged at county fairs or the state fair and now that won’t happen.
— Paul Bonneson, J. D. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇮🇱🇮🇱 (@pbonn1989) May 28, 2020
My heart goes out to all of the youth exhibitors getting their last year of showing taken away.
— caitlyn (@caitlynjacobsen) May 28, 2020
Wisconsin was not the first state fair to cancel. Check out this map of other cancellations.
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